Discovering raw food

I’ve been toying with the idea of raw food for a couple of years, but I didn’t get the impetus to do anything about it until Paul came back from the doctor’s late last year with high cholesterol results.

So I’ve worked a lot more from Jennifer’s book, and I must say I’m impressed. I think I’ve cooked maybe 20 or more recipes and I’ve yet to find one I didn’t like. And I have at least another 10 or more that I want to try.

I love the convenience of being able to just chuck everything into the food processor or blender, and not have to bother actually cooking anything. I often forget the soaking step, so I’ll have to work on my planning ahead a bit more, but there’s very little effort otherwise.

In fact I seem to spend more time cleaning the processor than actually using it! And since I got my Vitamix in July, it’s got even easier and faster, and the creamy dips turn out SO smooth in a high-speed blender.

Marinara sauce – She’s right. This does taste like the best slow simmered tomato pasta sauce you’ve ever had. So delicious! And versatile.

Cheese and chive dip – This is technically a cashew and herb/onion dip, but I like to call it something familiar.

Try to stop yourself eating this one!

Chocolate Mousse – Dairy free and SO smooth and chocolately. I made a parfait with Vanilla Cashew Cream, plus berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries all work) and it was to die for. You have to try this one!

Almond Cookies/Slice – Just almonds, walnuts, dates, vanilla and sultanas. It’s so fast and easy and tastes so good . I’ve been freezing mine in a slab and cutting it up, so there’s always something quick on hand to satisfy my chocolate cravings (when I have them).

Lemon Herb Dressing – Perfect for marinating vegies (especially mushrooms) or as a dressing for a raw salad. Fast, easy and delicious.

Zucchini Pasta – I did mine with a citrus zester which worked quite well, but I’ve recently got myself a Betty Bossi Vegetable Twister which makes it even easier. We mixed some marinara in with it, and it was fantastic!

Flourless Chocolate Cake – This one uses walnuts, dates, cacao powder and vanilla, and is super fast and easy. Oh yes, and it tastes very nice too.

Since I’ve started making raw food dips, we’ve been having the most amazing sandwiches for lunch. Just three or four dips, plus fresh tomato, mushrooms, red capsicum, shredded carrot, sprouts (if you have them), maybe some shaved ham or a boiled egg if you want, and you’re done. Even nicer in a wrap, so you get to enjoy the flavours most of all.

And you just naturally end up eating mostly vegetarian, and even vegan, as a bonus. And with food this delicious, there’s no way you can feel deprived. In fact, I enjoy it all the more knowing it’s good for me! Such an effortless and fun way to go raw. We also discovered that it works heaps better to just start adding these kinds of delicious recipes into our diet, rather than ‘eliminating’ anything. With food this good, you just want to eat it.

Well, I am planning on living to at least 150, so this has to be a great way to get there.

Who knew raw food could taste SO good!

You can order Jennifer's cookbooks online today at Amazon, the Book Depository, or your favourite book supplier, and start making her easy and delicious raw food dishes for yourself.

Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People

Getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day has never been so delicious and easy

My favourite cookbooks

My favourite kitchen gadgets

Having the right gadgets has totally changed my experience in the kitchen.

High-speed blender

I use my Vitamix blender at least 2-3 times EVERY day. It's fast, so versatile and super quick and easy to clean. I couldn't live without mine. I absolutely love it!

Food processor

I use my powerful food processor three or four times a week, for making nut butters, desserts, sauces, burgers and more. It's great for large batches and dishes that need texture and just makes "cooking" so much faster.

Dehydrator

I use my 5-tray Excalibur dehydrator once or twice a week, for crackers, breads, biscuits, cakes or even just for thawing things. It does an awesome job and makes eating raw SO much easier.

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